Kyle Larson actually wants to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 next year.
Larson, Hendrick Motorsports and IndyCar’s Arrow McLaren announced Tuesday that he will run in both races again in 2025. Larson attempted to run both the Indy 500 and 600 this season, but was only able to run the Indy 500 because of thunderstorms. Rain delayed the start of the Indy 500 and forced Larson to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. And when Larson arrived in Charlotte to get into his car for the 600, rain had stopped the race. He never restarted.
Larson became the fifth driver to attempt both races on the same day this year and will be the third to attempt the double multiple times, joining Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart. Both John Andretti and Kurt Busch have attempted the double once. Before Larson, Busch’s 2014 double attempt was the most recent time a driver attempted both races.
“I appreciate the second chance because we have unfinished business,” Larson said in a statement. “I really want to finish all 1,100 miles and I think we have a chance to compete for the win in both events.”
Larson had a fast car at Indy, starting fifth. However, a late-race speed penalty in the pits demoted him to 18th. Months later, he returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and won the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400. Many of the moves Larson made to work his way through the field were very similar to the way IndyCar drivers make passing attempts.
The storms also led to NASCAR giving Larson an exemption from the playoffs this season. Under NASCAR rules, a driver must attempt every race in the regular season to qualify for the playoffs. When rain threatened the Indianapolis 500 that Sunday morning, Larson and his team decided he would stay in Indy and risk missing the start of the 600.
By not starting in the 600, Larson was ineligible for the playoffs. However, NASCAR granted Larson an exemption after days of deliberation, and the 2021 Cup Series champion is currently part of the playoff field.